CHICAGO — Remember that long-standing debate about whether or not Bryan Little is actually a first-line centre?

Little is doing his part to quiet the doubters once again during the early stages of the new season.

With a goal and an assist in Monday’s 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings, the Winnipeg Jets top pivot leds his team with eight goals and 13 points in 16 games.

Little was asked if his hot start reminded him of the 2008-09 campaign when he scored 31 times for the Atlanta Thrashers.

“I’ve had some quick starts before and I know that sometimes you can’t keep that pace forever, you’re bound to go through some tough times when it seems like nothing goes in,” said Little. “There are some similarities, but each year is so different. You’re playing with different players, different team. That start is similar but you never know, it’s a long season.”

Last season, Little found himself snake-bitten around the net and was more of a set-up guy on the top line with Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler, finishing with seven goals and 32 points in 48 games.

Now he’s on pace for a career high in goals, while being counted on in the faceoff circle, among other things.

“He’s one of our more consistent players, whether he scores or he doesn’t,” said Jets head coach Claude Noel. “What he’s done consistently well this season is that he’s been able to finish. He’s scored with regularity.

“But his game hs really not changed much. He gives you the same every night. He’s a bankable player, no maintenance. You know what you’re going to get.”

SCHEIFELE SHINES: Monday marked the first multi-point game of Mark Scheifele’s young career, but he was just as proud of his play away from the puck.

“Goals went in and I was able to get a few points, but the biggest thing is that I thought I was playing really well defensively,” said Scheifele. “I was supporting the puck really well, I was in the right spots, I was reloading on the forecheck. Those are things that helped me.”

Scheifele has been working hard to stay grounded, whether he’s playing well or going through a tough patch.

“It’s definitely tough to keep your confidence up, but I’ve been pretty good at keeping an even keel and that’s a huge thing about being a pro,” said Scheifele, who has a goal and four points in 16 games while averaging just over 15 minutes of ice time per game. “You can’t dwell on a game or dwell on a shift.”

NICE DEBUT: Defenceman Keaton Ellerby had a relatively uneventful season debut for the Jets on Monday, taking 16 shifts for 10 minutes and 39 seconds of ice time (all coming at even strength) and finishing plus-1, with two blocked shots and one hit on a pairing with Adam Pardy.

“For our first game together, we played well,” said Ellerby, noting that being in the starting lineup helped get the nerves out early. “We were playing physical, moving our feet and moving pucks quickly. It was all good. Now we’ve got to keep building from there.”

KANE TRAVELS: Although Jets winger Evander Kane was held off the ice for a third consecutive day, he took part in an off-ice workout and accompanied the team to Chicgo, meaning he’s a possibility to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Blackhawks.

“He’s making the trip, he’ll be day-to-day and we’ll reassess the situation in Chicago,” said Noel.

Because the Jets play at home again on Friday, the fact Kane is traveling instead of staying back for further treatment is a good indicator he’s a reasonable option to suit up against the Blackhawks.

Sponsored Links

Jets Bryan Little keeps coming up big

CHICAGO — Remember that long-standing debate about whether or not Bryan Little is actually a first-line centre?

Little is doing his part to quiet the doubters once again during the early stages of the new season.

With a goal and an assist in Monday’s 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings, the Winnipeg Jets top pivot leds his team with eight goals and 13 points in 16 games.

Little was asked if his hot start reminded him of the 2008-09 campaign when he scored 31 times for the Atlanta Thrashers.

“I’ve had some quick starts before and I know that sometimes you can’t keep that pace forever, you’re bound to go through some tough times when it seems like nothing goes in,” said Little. “There are some similarities, but each year is so different. You’re playing with different players, different team. That start is similar but you never know, it’s a long season.”

Last season, Little found himself snake-bitten around the net and was more of a set-up guy on the top l